Psychology B.A.

In the Psychology major you'll develop a solid understanding of human behavior and mental processes using a scientific approach. You'll explore the ways in which human biology, psychological experience and cultural contexts combine to influence our actions and thoughts.

To learn more about the major, visit the Psychology website.

Required Courses

Special Requirements

If you transferred into CSUMB as an AA-T-certified student in Psychology, please see the AA-T certified requirements.

If you are unsure about your transfer status, please talk to a Psychology advisor in the Center for Advising, Career Services, and Student Success at 831-582-3937.

All other Psychology majors, see below.

standard requirements

Lower-division core (must be completed before moving on to upper-division core or area courses).

Complete ALL of the following lower and upper division courses and course combinations:

• PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology
• PSY 200: Introduction to Research Methods and Data Analysis AND PSY 200L: Research Method Lab
• PSY 300: Experimental Psychology and Human Assessment
• PSY 301: Advanced Psychological Statistics AND PSY 301L: Advanced Psychological Statistics Lab OR PSY 305: PSY Testing and Measurement AND PSY 305L: PSY Testing & Measurement Lab
• PSY 302: Psychology Research Methods and Data Analysis AND PSY 302L: Psychology Research Lab
• PSY 400: Psychology Capstone

Complete ONE of the following courses from EACH of the following FIVE AREAS:

Area 1: Biological Psychology

• PSY 310: Biological Psychology
• PSY 315: Psychopharmacology

Area 2: Clinical Psychology

• PSY 320: Psychopathology
• PSY 321: Clinical Psychology
• PSY 322: Theories and Methods of Counseling
• PSY 329: Health Psychology

area 3: Cognitive Psychology

• PSY 330: Cognitive Psychology
• PSY 331: Human Memory
• PSY 332: Decsn Making & Prblm Solving
• PSY 333: Cognitive Neuroscience
• PSY 334: Sensation & Perception

area 4: Developmental Psychology

• PSY 340: Developmental Psychology
• PSY 341: Psych of Thought & Language
• PSY 346: Cognitive Development
• PSY 347: Social & Emotional Development

area 5: Social Psychology

• PSY 350: Social Psychology
• PSY 352: Theories of Personality
• PSY 353: Social Psychology of Gender
• PSY 354: Social Psychology and Criminal Justice
• PSY 355: Social Psychology and Social Justice

Learning Outcomes

MLO 1: Theory and Content of Psychology

Demonstrate familiarity with major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends. Outcomes include describing and applying psychology's concepts, language and theories, explaining its major perspectives and demonstrating understanding of its breadth and depth.

MLO 2: Research Methods in Psychology

Understand and apply basic research methods, including research design, data analysis and interpretation. Outcomes include differentiating research methods, evaluating aptness of research conclusions, designing and conducting basic studies and generalizing research conclusions appropriately.

MLO 3: Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology

Respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and the scientific approach. Outcomes include using and engaging in critical thinking, using reasoning in arguments and persuasion and approaching problems with sophistication.

MLO 4: Application of Psychology

By applying psychological training, the interdisciplinarity of the program becomes evident. Students understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social and organizational issues. Outcomes include identifying psychology's major applications, articulating how it can be used toward social understanding and public policy, and recognizing the ethical complexities of applying psychology.

MLO 5: Values in Psychology

This outcome demonstrates the interdisciplinarity of the major, especially through its emphasis on ethics and respect for science. Students weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically and reflect other values underpinning psychology. Outcomes include understanding the need for ethical behavior, tolerance of ambiguity, demonstration of skepticism and intellectual curiosity, attunement to scientific evidence, civic responsibility and respect for human diversity.

Course Pathways

These pathways are examples of how you might complete all the requirements for your degree in an order that makes sense given prerequisites. They are meant to give you a general sense of what your education will look like.

Your own unique situation and a number of other factors may mean your actual pathway is different. Perhaps you'll need an extra math or language class, or one of the courses we've listed isn't offered in a particular semester. Don't worry - there is flexibility built into the curriculum. You'll want to work closely with an advisor and use the academic advisement report to take all that into account and develop a pathway that's customized for you.

In the meantime, use this example as a starting point for choosing classes or discussing your plans with an advisor. Your advisor is your best resource when it comes to figuring out how to fit all the courses you need, in the right sequence, into your personal academic plan.

Freshman Pathway

Fall FReshman

Spring Freshman

Fall Sophomore

Spring Sophomore

Fall Junior

Spring Junior

Fall Senior

Spring Senior

Transfer Pathway

Fall Junior

Spring Junior

Fall Senior

Spring Senior

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